Russia launched a major overnight missile and drone attack on Kiev and surrounding areas early Monday, killing at least 11 people and wounding more than 60 others, Ukrainian officials said, just days after the deadliest attack on the capital this year and ahead of a major NATO summit in Turkey.According to Reuters, 10 people died in Kiev and one in the surrounding Bucha district. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said 46 people were injured in the capital, while another 15 were injured in the wider Kyiv area. Odessa was also attacked, injuring at least one person.
Residential buildings destroyed as rescue operations continue
The attacks heavily damaged residential neighborhoods, with Ukrainian officials saying at least 15 apartment buildings were damaged or destroyed.The historic Podilsky district suffered the most damage, where a nine-story residential block was largely destroyed from the fifth floor up. Officials said four apartment buildings were affected in the district, while the eastern Darnitsky District was also one of the hardest-hit areas.Emergency teams continue to search for survivors in the debris and firefighters are tackling the blaze.Reuters reported that 22-year-old Alyona waited near the destroyed building for news of her missing 19-year-old friend.He said, “We are sitting here and waiting for her to come back… She is very kind, only 19 years old. She is a very kind girl.”
Russia launches missiles and drones
Ukraine’s air force said Russia fired 68 missiles at the 351 drones, including 23 ballistic missiles and six supersonic and hypersonic missiles.According to Ukrainian officials, air defenses intercepted or disabled 37 missiles and 326 drones. However, no ballistic or hypersonic missiles were intercepted.President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly urged Western allies to provide more Patriot missile interceptors, saying they are Ukraine’s only effective defense against incoming ballistic missiles. He renewed those calls just hours before Monday’s attack.Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed what it described as a “large-scale attack” using drones as well as long-range precision weapons launched from the air, land and sea.Moscow said it targeted military, energy and defense-industrial facilities in Kiev and several other Ukrainian regions.
Attack took place before NATO summit
The latest attack comes just days after a Russian attack in Kiev left 31 people dead, the deadliest attack on the capital this year.The renewed bombing also comes ahead of this week’s NATO summit in Ankara, where US President Donald Trump is expected to meet Zelensky.Trump is also expected to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin after the summit as Washington seeks to revive stalled peace efforts.
Ukraine and Russia continue cross-border attacks
Ukraine also carried out drone attacks inside Russia overnight.Reuters reported that Ukrainian drones damaged the Baltic Sea ports of Vysotsk and Ust-Luga, a major Russian oil export terminal, while the strikes also caused a temporary power blackout in Sevastopol, home to Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in Russian-annexed Crimea.Poland briefly deployed combat aircraft as a precaution during Russian attacks, highlighting growing regional security concerns as the conflict continues into its fourth year.